FIT | How do you prevent that an answer sound memorized?

Hi there, 

This is a great question and a good problem to have. 

I would do three things to start with:

1. Take some distance, i.e., stop practicing them for a while. Only for a couple of days.
2. Make sure the notes you took on the stories are in bullet-point format and not in long-hand. So basically the cheat sheet you use to practice the stories should only have the ideas high-level so you can use different words every time, rather than being written word by word like a speech that you've learned by heart. 
3. Get a professional assessment from a coach. Peer feedback is great but it only goes so far. You might actually have much bigger issues with your stories then you think you do, so focusing on them sounding memorized might not even be a priority at this point.

Best,

Cristian

Hi there,

You have your answer….

Don't memorize your stories!

Everyone gets this mixed up because it sells to say online “here is the formula”.

Erase your stories.

Create bullet points of your stories.

Practice telling the stories with someone asking you the questions and you being forced to adjust.

Remember, just like you wouldn't read off a page during a powerpoint presentation (you'd go off bullet points), same thing here!

The fit interview is…a conversation

Hi there,

I think this is an interesting question that may be relevant for many people. I would be happy to share my thoughts on it:

• Depending on who gave you the feedback, I would advise you to record yourself talking about the situation and reflect on it to see if you agree that it sounds memorized.
• If you do agree that it sounds memorized, try to vary your language and tone by avoiding the use of the same words and phrases repeatedly.
• However, I would not advise you to stop memorizing or writing down in detail your situations entirely. If it helps you, you should continue doing so.

If you would like a more detailed discussion on how to address your specific situation, please don't hesitate to contact me directly.

Best,

Hagen

Hi there,

1. Use a simple framework to draft and remember (not memorize! )your stories, for instance, the SCORE framework I have created.
2. A couple of bullet points per letter of the SCORE
3. Then, practice telling your stories and answers to friends and family. 
4. Practice different scenarios, e.g., more interrogative interviewers, more quiet interviewers, etc.

Read more on the SCORE here: https://www.preplounge.com/mckinsey-pei

Cheers,

Florian